Fire risks are continuing in southern Colorado Wednesday as temperatures soar, and conditions remain dry under increasing drought conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning in the southeast from noon until 8:00 p.m. Wind gusts to 30 miles per hour out of the southwest are expected, along with temperatures in the 80 and humidity dropping to 10 percent. Fires that start could grow rapidly.

Southeast and south central counties covered by the warning included Baca, Las Animas, Huerfano, Pueblo, El Paso, Park, Fremont, Custer, Costilla, Alamosa, Saguache, Rio Grande and Conejos. The warning extends into New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas.

In western Colorado, the warning will be in effect until 9:00 p.m. where gusts up to 35 mph are predicted and humidity is expected to drop into the teens. Temperatures in the 70s are forecast.

Portions of La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, Montrose, Mesa, Delta, Ouray and Garfield counties are in the warned area.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.